Faculty Syllabus
GOVT-2306 Texas State and Local Government
Carl Mullen
Credit Spring 2026
Section(s)
GOVT-2306-043 (34267)
LEC TuTh 12:00pm - 1:20pm RRC RRC8 8303.00
Course Requirements
Required textbook: Textbook: Practicing Texas Politics Enhanced 17th edition, by Lyle C. Brown, Joyce Langenegger, Sonia Garcia, Robert Biles, Ryan Rynhardt, Veronica Reyna & Juan Carlos Huerta
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
- UNIT EXAMS (4-UNIT EXAMS ADMINISTERED IN THE CLASSROOM)
The student’s course grade will be based on the results of four (4) unit examinations administered in the classroom during the semester. EXAMS WILL BE CONDUCTED ON THE LISTED DATES ON THE LAST PAGE OF THIS DOCUMENT; NO OTHER CLASS ACTIVITY WILL BE CONDUCTED ON EXAM DAY. STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE ALL FOUR EXAMS. ANY STUDENT THAT DOES NOT COMPLETE ALL FOUR EXAMS WILL HAVE THEIR SEMESTER LETTER GRADE DETERMINED BY THE TOTAL EXAM POINTS EARNED ON THE EXAMS ACTUALLY COMPLETED DIVIDED BY FOUR. I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES, OR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE COURSE REQUIREMENTS IF NECESSARY, OR AS CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT. ANY STUDENT THAT MISS A SCHEDULED EXAM WILL BE PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKEUP THAT EXAM AT A MUTUAL TIME AND PLACE THAT IS CONVIENT FOR BOTH THE STUDENT AND PROFESSOR.
2. WRITTEN OPINION PAPER ON A SPECIFIED CHAPTER TOPIC SELCECTED BY THE PROFESSOR
Each student will be required to submit a written paper on a topic selected by the professor from one of the chapters covered in the textbook. The paper will ask each student to provide their opinion on using either a “Pro” or “Con” perspective on the topic assigned by the professor. The paper will be a total of three to four pages using material from both the textbook, and outside reference materials to support the student’s selected perspective on the chosen topic. The paper will count for a maximum of 20 points, (two letter grades), to be added to the student’s exam scores that must be completed during semester. FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT WILL RESULT IN A DEDUCTION OF 20 POINTS FROM YOUR OVERALL EXAM SCORES.
Each specific exam will have a total of 100 points in value. Your letter grade for each exam will be based on the total accumulated points earned on each exam using the numerical scale below. The date of each exam is specified on the reading assignment page—found on the last page of this document. The following point schedule will be used to determine your letter grade:
A= 100 to 90 of the total possible points for that specific exam
B= 89 to 80 of the total possible points for that specific exam
C= 79 to 70 of the total possible points for that specific exam
D= 69 to 60 of the total possible points for that specific exam
F= 59 and below of total possible points for that specific exam
Readings
READING SCHEDULE (SPRING 2026)
TEXAS GOVERNMENT
Tuesday, Jan.20th -----Introductory Session & Review of Class Requirements
Thursday, Jan. 22nd -----Chapter 1 (Environment of Texas Politics)
Tuesday, Jan. 27th ------- Chapter 1 (Environment of Texas Politics)—continued
Thursday, Jan 29th ------ Chapter 1 (Environment of Texas Politics)—continued
Tuesday, Feb. 3rd ------- Chapter 2 (Federalism & the Texas Constitution)
Thursday, Feb. 5th ------ Chapter 2 (Federalism & the Texas Constitution)—continued
Tuesday, Feb. 10th ------ Chapter 3 (Local Governments)
Thursday, Feb. 12th ------ Chapter 3 (Local Governments)—continued
Tuesday, Feb. 17th --------- EXAM 1 (Include chapters 1, 2, & 3)
Thursday, Feb. 19th --------- Chapter 4 (Political Parties)
Tuesday, Feb. 24th ----------- Chapter 4 (Political Parties)—continued
Thursday, Feb. 26th ---------- Chapter 5 (Campaigns & Elections)
Tuesday, March 3rd ----------- Chapter 5 (Campaigns & Elections)—continued
Thursday, March 5th -------Chapter 6 (Media & Politics)
Tuesday, March 10th ------ Chapter 6 (Media & Politics)—continued
Thursday, March 12th ------- EXAM 2 (Include chapters 4, 5, & 6)
Tuesday, March 17th -----------SPRING BREAK (NO CLASS)
Thursday, MARCH 19th ------ SPRING BREAK (NO CLASS)
Tuesday, March 24th ---------- Chapter 7 (Interest Groups)
Thursday, March 26th ---------- Chapter 7 (Interest Groups)—continued
Tuesday, March 31st ------------ Chapter 8 (Texas Legislature)—continued
Thursday April 2nd ---------------- Chapter 8 (Texas Legislature)—continued
Tuesday, April 7th ------------------- Chapter 9 (The Executive)
Thursday, April 9th ------------------- Chapter 9 (The Executive)—continued
Tuesday, April 14th ------------------- EXAM 3 (Include chapters 7, 8, & 9)
Thursday, April 16th ------------------ Chapter 10 (The Judicial Branch)
Tuesday, April 21st -------------------- Chapter 10 (The Judicial Branch)—continued
Thursday, April 23rd -------------------- Chapter 11 (Finance & Fiscal Policy)
Tuesday, April 28th --------------------- Chapter 11 (Finance & Fiscal Policy—continued)
Thursday, April 30th --------------------- Chapter 12 (Public Policy & Administration)
Tuesday, May 5th ----------------- Chapter 12 (Public Policy & Administration)—continued
Thursday, May 7th ---------------- Chapter 13 (Criminal Justice System)
Tuesday, May 12th ------------Chapter 13 (Criminal Justice System)—continued
Thursday, May 14th -------EXAM 4 (END OF SEMESTER) (include chapters 10, 11 &12)
***The above reading schedule is subject to be revised based on the actual material covered during the semester. However, no material will be included on an exam that have not been lectured on in class.
Course Subjects
Course Description: This is an introductory course for Texas government and politics as required by the Texas Legislature for all college students to obtain a degree from a Texas college or university. It will cover the following topics (1) an introduction to a framework for understanding Texas government and politics; (2) the constitutional basis for the state, & national government and its politics; (3) a review of federalism and the relationship with state and local governments; (4) the role of political parties in Texas elections and politics; (5) a review of how state campaigns are conducted for election to political office; (6) the role the media and interest groups play in Texas politics; (7) an examination of the constitutional established institutions Texas State government; (8) a review of the state government budgetary process; and (9) an examination of the major government programs that consume the majority of the state government budget expenditures. (10) You will encounter a variety of topics over the course of the semester. You may disagree, perhaps strongly, with opinions express by your classmates or the professor. If we treat each other with respect, these differences enhance class discussion and create an atmosphere where we learn from each other. Rest assured that your grades will not be influenced by beliefs or ideas expressed in class or in assignments.
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
LEARNING OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES
- Demonstrate knowledge of the origin and constitutional development of Texas’ republican democracy.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the federal structure and the role of the states within a system of federalism.
- Demonstrate knowledge about the role of interest groups, the media, political parties, and public campaigns, and elections as well as knowledge about the different branches of state government.
- Recognize and analyze the overall scope and functioning of the Texas’ role in a federalistic government.
- Discussion of current political events of the day
Office Hours
T Th 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM CYP 5 Room 2227
NOTE Office Hours: Every Tuesday & Thursday 10:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. (ROOM 2227) OR ANOTHER MUTUALLY AGREEABLE TIME (SEE PHONE NUMBERS ABOVE). Email Address: cmullen@austincc.eduT 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM ROOM 8303.00
NOTE Office Hours: Every Tuesday 1:30 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. (ROOM 8303.00) OR ANOTHER MUTUALLY AGREEABLE TIME (SEE PHONE NUMBERS ABOVE). Email Address: cmullen@austincc.edu.W 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Virtual Office Hours will be conducted.
NOTE • Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Virtual Office Hours will be conducted. • NOTE: on Wednesday, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM I will host virtual office hours for any student who would like to schedule a virtual meeting via Zoom. Please email me at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.Published: 01/15/2026 09:22:46